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Cinema, television, literature, and music–basically anything that can be reviewed. If you're interested in writing reviews, e-mail us at dacouchtomato@gmail.com. We won't pay you for reviews, but you get to practise your writing skills. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

Sherlock. Series 1

What do both Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have in common, aside from both being writers of Doctor Who, and proper Whovians in themselves? The answer is that they are both big fans of Arthur Conan Doyle, and the ones who came up with the idea of putting the Conan Doyle's famous creation smack in the middle of second millennium-London.

This is the first time I've actually encountered a TV show with only three episodes per series ("season" in the US), with each episode lasting 90 minutes. I'm familiar with the 6-, 12-, and 24-episode series, but not this. Anyway, I'm not complaining. I just wanted to mention that I learned something new from the Brits. Yet again.

This first series came out in mid-2010, and fans had to wait a year and a half for series 2. Blame it on Peter Jackson, whose film The Hobbit created scheduling conflicts for Martin Freeman, who plays Bilbo Baggins, and maybe Benedict Cumberbatch as well, who voices the dragon Smaug. But the BBC decided to start the year right, by bringing series 2 on New Year's Day itself, creating the grand fireworks display between Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler.

But before we go onto the review of the first episode of series 2, here is a recap of the entire first series. Clicking on the episode title links back to the original review, which is actually already here, so it wouldn't be necessary to click it. Unless you want to give this blog more hits, then by all means, click away.

I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since grade school. Although I admit, I haven't read the entire canon. But I've read quite a lot. And if you've been a fan of Holmes for some time now, you'll recognize the title from A Study in Scarlet.

Then you get to the part where Sherlock asks John:

"Afghanistan or Iraq?"

Then you'll know that this is definitely A Study in Scarlet. And this is also the part where you get hooked.

Modernizing Sherlock Holmes─Best. Idea. Ever.

And then you see Benedict Cumberbatch. And while I've got nothing against Robert Downey, Jr., I think Cumberbatch is a better Sherlock. I think it's because RDJ makes Sherlock Holmes seem cool, but Sherlock Holmes is actually a square. He's an oddball that no one wants to hang out with─except Dr. John Watson.

And although Jude Law has more ovary-bursting good looks, I like Martin Freeman's Watson better. Freeman's Watson is an ordinary every-man, a perfect complement to Cumberbatch's oddball weirdo.

Also, he still kills like a soldier.

And because this series was co-created and co-written by Steven Moffat, I've now one more reason to check out Doctor Who.

Aside from Karen Gillan's legs.

Now before we end, let me just say that it is the first episode that will determine whether you will become a fan or not. And if the bloody brilliance of the character that is Sherlock Holmes doesn't turn you on, then Benedict Cumberbatch should do the trick.

This man spawned the word "Cumberbitch",
referring to all the women whose ovaries exploded.

This episode shows us more of Sherlock's eccentricities. Sherlock Holmes is not just a genius. He's half-genius and half-madman.

The master at work.

This episode also shows us more of Watson's normal side. He actually goes out on dates. And his date is quite pretty, too.

Gotta love John Watson's expression here.
Sherlock, as always, is a third wheel.

What makes the chemistry between Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman work so well is the contrast between their characters. The normal-ness of John Watson balances out the pure weirdness of Sherlock Holmes.

And once more, Steven Moffat, you are a damn good writer. For those who don't know, every episode of Sherlock is kind of a hodge-podge of different Sherlock Holmes stories. This episode in particular takes from The Valley of Fear and "The Dancing Men". Now you have to admit that Steven Moffat is a master of adaptation. And this makes me excited about the upcoming Tintin flick. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Moffat. Perfect.

"Two Stevens?"

Also, this episode introduced me to the beauty that is Gemma Chan. You are so damn cute, Gemma. But you died in this episode, so I guess you won't be coming back.

Among the three episodes of Sherlock thus far, this is probably my least favorite. Make no mistake, I love all of them. But if I had to choose which one was my least favorite, and if I had a gun to my head, then I'd say it's "The Great Game".

First, there's just too much going on.

Too much, in fact, that Sherlock just got an orgasm.

There are five phone pips here, each pip being one mystery, so that's five mysteries in all. And although each of the five mysteries can stand alone, they are merely sub-mysteries of one big mystery. Which involves...

Professor Moriarty, which is my second point here.

I know Moriarty is psycho. But Andrew Scott is just creepy. It's the way he delivers his lines─like he's definitely unhinged. He should've been killed. Plus, he looks a bit like Jim Parsons.

My new favorite character in this show (like we have a lot to choose from) is none other than this guy:

"Who? Me?"

Yep. Mycroft Holmes. Sherlock's brother. Played by Mark Gatiss. If you think the name rings a bell, it should. You've seen it before.

Yes, he's the writer of this episode, and the co-creator of this series. And he's a bloody brilliant actor.

I loved the root canal bit.

There you go. Three great episodes. If you were a Holmes fan since childhood, then I'm pretty sure you want more of this. If you were a Holmes fan since seeing the Guy Ritchie movie, then I'm pretty sure you want to see more of this. And if you only became a Holmes fan after watching this show, then I'm pretty damn sure you want to see more of this. Case closed.